Control of RUNX2 isoform expression: the role of promoters and enhancers

The three mammalian RUNX genes constitute the family of runt domain transcription factors that are involved in the regulation of a number of developmental processes such as haematopoiesis, osteogenesis and neuronal differentiation. All three genes show a complex temporo-spatial pattern of expression. Since the three proteins are probably mutually interchangeable with regard to function, most of the specificity of each family member seems to be based on a tightly controlled regulation of expression. While RUNX gene expression is driven by two promoters for each gene, the promoter sequence alone does not seem to suffice for a proper expressional control. This review focuses on the available evidence for the existence of such control mechanisms and studies aiming at discovering cis-acting regulatory sequences of the RUNX2 gene.